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If you've spent much time on this Community, you've most likely crossed paths with bholley. He is not only one of our most active and passionate Ambassadors, but certainly one of the most entertaining as well. He delivers fantastic insight into current events, regales us with amazing anecdotes and historical references, and also integrates some pop culture on occasion. He also keep those of us who moderate the posts on our toes! It has been a pleasure to get to know Bruce through this site and we look forward to learning more over the coming months and years. In the meantime, here's some insight in to the man, the myth....bholley!

At what age did you start playing golf?

I started caddying around age 12. Being around the golfers
you just pick it up along with other aspects of the game such as gambling,
swearing, drinking, and smoking. As my mother once said it was better I learned
from those nice men rather than from my father.

Who introduced you to the game?

Actually it was from a lot of different
people but the person who influenced me most was a local lawyer. He taught me
aside from the before mentioned vices of golf how to play poker (which came in
handy at college). But most of all he taught me how to think and to use your
mind to adapt and to create circumstances which you can use to your advantage He
also taught me the importance of a well
rounded education and also a great love of Shakespeare

What's your best score and where was it?

Ten under at “Farley’s Family Put Put and Batting Cages”.
Actually it was a 63 (1969) where I caddied but the course has been redesigned
so only about 1 or 2 of the holes still exist. Plus I played the last 4 holes
by myself, does that still count?

Favorite golf memory?

Once after our usual skins game we had all
contributed to buy beer for a minor celebration. Bill (name changed to protect
the not so innocent) drove his new pickup truck with the beer around to the
back of the clubhouse. We drank the beer on the back porch. After several hours
of tall tales and no more beer we all walked down to the parking lot.As we were all getting into our cars Bill
suddenly noticed his new truck was missing. After a quick search of the parking
lot Bill ascertained his beloved truck had been stolen and called the police.
When the officer arrived he did a more thorough search and promptly found the
truck in the back of the clubhouse where Bill had originally left it after
delivering the beer. The officer suggested we call someone to drive us home. We
agreed.

I was playing this New Year’s Eve by myself.
I was walking alone down the fairway the sun was falling and the shadows were
quickly stretching out over the course. I thought back to the first time almost
50 years ago I set foot on a golf course as a 12 year old caddy. I remembered
all the people I had met, the places I had traveled to play golf, and all the
wonderful memories. After all this time I thought it was odd just me, my clubs
and my memories no one else around. As I stood on the last tee breathing in the
cool winter air I thought geez I sure have spent a ton of money on this game.

What are your interests outside of golf?

I am a bit of a history nut, enjoy cooking,
and drama. I once played FDR in a local production of “Annie.” I had played
walk on parts before but this was my first ever “roll on.” I have also been
trying my hand at writing and I recently finished a Christian themed play. Yes,
most people do have a hard time believing that one.

How did you learn about the FJ Community?

I was looking for information on some outer
wear. It is a lot of fun sharing experiences and opinions with people across
the country and now I have figured out how to use spell check so I am going to
be more verbose than ever.

In the latest "Meet the Ambassadors" feature, we are happy to introduce you to Bobby Swain, or "Go Hokies" as many of you know him. Bobby is most likely the community member with the largest shoe collection...and one that may even exceed that of the FJ Staff! What you may not know, however, is he is a phenomenal player as well with a career best round of 62 to his credit. With his vast collection of colorful FootJoy golf shoes and his tendency to go low out on the course, Bobby believes you have to look good to play good! 1. At what age did you start playing golf? Who introduced you to the game?Started around 6 years old (about 50 years ago). My dad started playing and he must have had an agreement with my mother that he "had" to take me with him when he went to the golf course (what a way to baby sit). Started with a set of Wilson Patty Bergs and the Acushnet "Club Special".

2. What's your best score and where was it?This one is pretty easy. I shot a 62 at Round Meadow Country Club in Christiansburg, VA back in June, 1975. I consider my best round to be a 68 I shot last June (2009) on the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. The course plays around 7100 yards in length from the Maroon Tees. Also of note, the most holes I've ever played in one day was 113 for a Junior Golf fundraiser!

3. Favorite golf moment?When you have been playing for 50 years there are quite a few…first Hole-In-One playing with my father when I was 16, meeting Sam Snead at The Homestead, finding Greg Norman's lost ball at Myrtle Beach, meeting & putting on the same practice green with Gary Player (June 2009), visiting Augusta National for a practice round and playing Pine Valley.

4. What's your "specialty" on the golf course (driving, approach, short game, putting, etc)?Looking good in new FJ ICONs! I also have a pretty decent short game.

5. What are you working on?I'm always working on the short game (at least 50% of my practice time).

6. What golf-related product can you not live without?Definitely my SkyCaddie, although my ball retriever is also pretty valuable. I estimate I recover about 4000 golf balls per year.

7. Tell us about your most memorable round of golf (why this round, with whom, where, when, score, etc).My most memorable round of golf is always the last one I played - Thursday mid-morning May 8th with Pat O'Bannon - 4 birdies, Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. I always find something good with every shot. Best shot this round was a nice seven iron against a pretty strong wind on Par 3 14th, (playing to hole - 157), 2.5 feet. Next round Sunday - May 10th.

8. What are your interests outside of golf?Virginia Tech Athletics, of course! I also enjoy bowling during the winter months, attending Major league Baseball Games (always one or two a year with wife), tailgating with friends before VT Home Football Games (about the only time I'll give up golf on a Saturday), photography and collecting FootJoys & Argyle Sweaters.

9. How did you learn about the FJ Community?I happened upon the web site when I was looking at the MyJoys web page.

10. How many pairs of golf shoes do you currently have in the closet? Final round of the club championship, which pair are you wearing?I think I'm up to 45 or 46 (need to count - have added 4 pair so far this year). Final round of club championship - probably haven't ordered that pair yet - I'm pretty sure I'll have a couple pair of the "New Wave Shoe" that Poulter unveiled during the Masters.

We continue our series of interviews with the FJ Ambassadors by introducing you to Chris Chapman, or golfchick, who holds the unique distinction of being the first female Ambassador! As you'll discover, Chris is not only a solid player, but she also has a background in fashion and apparel and was kind enough to offer some advice on how to look your best on the course and what trends to expect in 2010.

1. At what age did you start playing golf? Who introduced you to the game? My dad introduced me to golf when I was 10 or 11 -- he felt it was important for us to learn a lifetime sport. I took lessons for two years, but didn't do much with it -- junior high and its associated interests (boys, maybe?) took priority. I didn't play for 20 years except for an occasional round in a scramble. In 1995 I got into golf tournament management, and after a couple of years decided I needed to be able to walk the walk if I was going to talk the talk! So in 1997 I got a basic set (you know, the kind that comes with all the clubs and the bag in a big box). The basic swing from junior lessons turned out to be decent, and I worked up to getting fitted for clubs in 1998. Got my first hole-in-one that year, and another the next year, so you know I was hooked at that point! Now I play a couple of times a week during the season, and whenever it's at least 50 degrees during the off season.

2. What's your best score and where was it?My best round is an 83, at a public course in Overland Park, Kansas that I play a couple times a month. My handicap is 23.

3. Favorite golf moment? My favorite golf moment? The three aces! The first because, well, it was the first. The second and third because I was playing with good friends who loved sharing that special moment with me!

4. What's your "specialty" on the golf course (driving, approach, short game, putting, etc)?I love hitting the driver! I know, I know...hitting the long ball is everyone's favorite part, but I do get more distance than most of the women I play with -- average around 170.

5. What are you working on? I'm working on the worst part of my game -- the approach. I am not confident in my irons or in my decision as to which shot to use from about 80 yards in.

6. What golf-related product can you not live without?My FootJoy LoPros would be the golf product I can't live without. I prefer to walk when I play, and the value of a comfortable, well-fitting shoe when you're walking can't be beat.

7. Tell us about your most memorable round of golf (why this round, with whom, where, when, score, etc). My most memorable round of golf was at Doral. I was playing in the finals of the Executive Women's Golf Association's national championship. It was in 2000, my handicap was about a 32. Neither round was very good, and fortunately for my ego, I don't remember the exact scores, but the opportunity to play on that big a stage at that point in my golf career was pretty cool.

8. What are your interests outside of golf?Interests outside of golf? I have a 21-year-old son, and as others parents know, that can take up a lot of your time! Working out is a big deal for me; I have a good group of friends and a fun aerobics/kickbox instructor, so we work out and hang out. But since I have several different part-time jobs in the golf industry, golf's pretty much my life! I still haven't figured out why I don't live somewhere warmer!

9. How did you learn about the FJ Community? I learned about the FJ Community through the FJ website. I've been a FootJoy and Titleist fan forever, so I accessed the website many times before the community got started. I really enjoy it -- great fun to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions on such a wide variety of golf-related topics.

9a. Considering your background in fashion/merchandise, what are the three most important fashion tips you would like to share with the men on the FJ Community?As for fashion tips for the guys -- I think the Ambassadors are all pretty savvy when it comes to clothing and footwear. Everyone's taste is different, but my platform is "Respect the Game." I hate seeing people in jeans, baggy pants, sideways hats, tank tops -- save that for the street! Even a 40 handicap looks like a good golfer in nice khakis, a nice polo that fits, and of course, FootJoys. Trends I'm seeing for 2010 -- grey is a big color, and so is turquoise. Performance tops will be a huge share of the market. Plaid pants and shorts continue their popularity among men and women -- and how awesome is it that we can all get custom FJs to go with them?

This begins a new series of interviews we'll be conducting with our FJ Ambassadors on a regular basis. You probably know them by their screen names so this gives us an opportunity to go behind the screen name and find out more about these passionate golfers who contribute unparalleled time and resources to the Community.

This month we introduce you to Eric Kelly, or EMKelly0106 as most of you know him.

1. At what age did you start playing golf? Who introduced you to the game?

No one in my family golf's or has much of an interest in golf (other than my Mom who watches occasionally to see Tiger win), so I am one of the few who started late in life. I first touched a club my sophomore year of high school, about the age 16. I had a used set that a friend of mine won at a tournament and I would periodically use them until the end of junior year. During senior year, about 17 years old, "the bug" bit me and I have been hooked since.

From there, I took some of my graduation money and bought my first set of sticks, Titleist 804.OS irons with a Taylormade r7 driver, two Vokey wedges and an Odyssey putter. My next move was to start taking lessons, which turns out to be the best choice I've made in my golf "career". Since then, I have steadily grown as a player and have upgraded all my clubs to my current set.

I would say that the friend of mine who gave me my first set of clubs first introduced me to the game and then my golf instructor perpetuated it.

2. What's your best score and where was it?My best score is a 61. It was at the Pioneers Golf Course in Lincoln, NE. Did I mention it was a 2-person scramble?!

3. Favorite golf moment?I have many favorite moments in golf, but I think Tiger winning the US Open with 'one leg' is at the top of the list. That was such an incredible show of determination, strength, and skill that I would be surprised if we ever see anything quite like it again. To be at less than 100% and still able to win a golf tournament (let alone a major), is something to be remembered.

4. What's your "specialty" on the golf course (driving, approach, short game, putting, etc)?My specialty would be my short game because that is the part of my game I focus on the most and am most confident with. I am not the most consistent putter in the world so I rely on my short game to get the ball within my comfort zone.

5. What are you working on?Most of my time in the last few months has been spent on the putting green. I feel that is one area where I need to become better and in my opinion, if you can't putt, you are going to have a hard time going low and making it to the next level in your golf game. Unfortunately though, I think putting is the hardest thing to work on because it can be very monotonous and nothing is more fun than bombing drives off the back of the range.

6. What golf-related product can you not live without?The golf-related product I could not live without (excluding clubs) would have to be my shoes. Women have high heels; I have golf shoes. There was a time when I would buy golf shoes over tennis shoes, even though I NEEDED the tennis shoes. I really like new styles and colors because they keep everything fresh and exciting. Also, without a solid fitting shoe, your golf will suffer because of the lack of comfort and stability you have. Your feet play a very active role in the game and it's the one piece of equipment that you always use and should always be there to help you.

7. Tell us about your most memorable round of golf (why this round, with whom, where, when, score, etc).My most memorable round of golf would be the first time I played Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, NE with my girlfriend Sasha's dad, his brother and my best friend. I don't remember the score of the round but at the time, it wasn't important. It was something I looked forward to for a long time and the overall experience was great. We (at least I did) had a great time, had a few drinks and just relaxed. It was one of those times when the experience was more than what you had anticipated or wished for. I certainly look forward to the next time we are all able to play together.

8. What are your interests outside of golf?Outside of golf, my interests would include spending time with my girlfriend Sasha and family/friends, the television program South Park, playing XBOX, fishing and finance. Something I am interested in, but have not been able to do is go SCUBA diving, I think that looks like a great time and look forward to trying that soon. I am also a movie buff.

9. How did you learn about the FJ Community?I learned about the FJC when I visited http://www.FootJoy.com and saw a banner for the community and ambassador program. I was intrigued by the thought of becoming an ambassador for a company that I already respected and was interested in so the next logical step was to sign up. I read the forums, wrote some comments and really enjoyed my time in the FJC. I already liked talking about golf and related subjects and this gave me a good opportunity to not only get a inside look at the company and upcoming releases of FJ products but also communicate with other golf enthusiasts from around the world with similar interests.